To get Directv do the phone lines have to be connected?

[Taz]

Can anyone out there tell me if I switch to the directv services do I have to have the receivers connected to a phone line? I want to get two receivers and I was told if they were not both connected to the phone line they would charge me for two seperate services. is this true? I know with Dish they don't require it to be connected to a phone line. so I was wondering if directv does?

[platinum]

a phone connection is required

[spanishannouncetable]

Originally posted by platinum
a phone connection is required

Wrong. Phone connections are only REQUIRED for :

1) impulse PPV purchases using the remote. After a few weeks unconnected, the receiver will stop allowing these until it can call in for billing purposes, but it will not affect your subscription otherwise.
2) secondary receivers on a sports package (NFLST, MLBEI, etc). The primary receiver on your account doesn't require a phone connection at all for these.
3) DirecTiVos, and they only NEED to dial out to TiVo, NOT Directv, once every 28 days. The TiVo call can be forced anytime, a call to Directv cannot be forced. The new HDVR2 units have USB ports to allow connection to broadband internet, so dial-up calls to TiVo would then be unnecessary if broadband is available.

Yes, Directv's service agreement states phone connections are needed. In the real world, this is not necessary. Just leave 'em unhooked if you like.

[raj2001]

Originally posted by spanishannouncetable


Wrong. Phone connections are only REQUIRED for :


The phone line is also required for some Wink features like shopping.

[raj2001]

Originally posted by Taz
Can anyone out there tell me if I switch to the directv services do I have to have the receivers connected to a phone line? I want to get two receivers and I was told if they were not both connected to the phone line they would charge me for two seperate services. is this true? I know with Dish they don't require it to be connected to a phone line. so I was wondering if directv does?

Long answer:
They do say that you need to connect the phone line for 2 receivers or more in a "mirrored" configuration. This is to prevent people from sharing subs with their neighbors or even with people in other parts of the country, or even with people in Canada. As to whether this is actually enforced via the phoneline is debatable. They could enforce it at any time but I don't think it actually happens.

Short answer:
You are required to have a phone line connection, but I wouldn't be worried if you don't.

[Crazy 1]

Hello Taz, my advice is like most say here if your not comfortable with the phone line, then forget about it, unless of course you get a IRD with caller-Id, then obviously you need it to make that work. I have a IRD without the phone line, and for over a year and it's going strong, no problems. Get D* and watch some TV. Happy viewing!

[catman]

A phoneline is needed only , if you want pay per veiw or the sports pak . I called DTV to make sure it was right .

[Karl Foster]

I have two with phone lines and two without and haven't had problems at all. If I didn't order PPV's from time to time I wouldn't have any hooked up.

[raj2001]

Originally posted by karl_f
I have two with phone lines and two without and haven't had problems at all. If I didn't order PPV's from time to time I wouldn't have any hooked up.

The nicest thing is that you can remove the phoneline entirely and order using directv.com :D

[mnassour]

Also....if you do not have a phone like you are likely to lose your regional sports network in about 30 days.

[qickstang86]

i have 2 rec. i don't have a phone line hooked to either.
no problems